Solid carbon dioxide machine



Oct. 16, 1934. .;;c. GOOSMANN SOLID CARBON DIOXI DE MACH INE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 8, 1931 law R m ml! N o 7 EG W M Mao m; m N, m w A .B In Y. B

Oct. 16, 1934- J. c. GOOSMANN 1,975,777

SOLID CARBON DIOXIDE MACHINE Filecl July 8, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fljj- Z: 1 INVENTOR Jlmas C. Goasmann BY his ATTORNEYS fi Patent d od. 16, 19 34 976 777 v UNITED STA E OFFICE L 1,978,177. Y I soup cannon moms momma.

,Jiustus C. Goosmann, Mount Vernon, N. E, a.- signor, by mesne to Adieu Development Corporation v Application July 8, 1931, Serial No. 54 93% 7 .(ci. sit-r21) This invention relates to improvements in ap- Fig. 7 is an end view of a modified form of paratus for making solid carbon dioxide either mold which is insertable intoacylinder of the in the form of largeblocks or in the form of form shown in Fig. 4; a small blocks, pencils, pellets and the like. The general object of this invention is to pro- One of theobjects of this invention is the pro vide a novel method of making solid carbon di- 80 vision of a novel method of forming solid carbon oxide from carbon dioxide slush, as well as the dioxide. apparatus for carrying out the method. The

il further object of this invention involves-the carbon dioxide. liquid is introduced into the method and apparatus by means of which liquid solidifying chamber of the machine at the socarbon dioxide is delivered into a compression called triple no t so that it exists therein under 'chamber at the triple point pressure, wherein a condition of solid liquid and gas. The slush it exists simultaneously in the solid, liquid andconsists or" a mixture of liquid and solid and gaseous condition. the portions of the two of cburse vary with A still further object of this invention inthe chamber and pressure conditions within the v 15 'volves the method of directly solidifying the chamber. If desired the density ofthe finished 7o slush present at the triple point condition by mass may be increased by mechanically comreducing the pressure thereon or by first niepressing the slush mixture before reducing'the chanically compressing the slush andthen regas pressureinthe chamber. Ira less dense mass ducing the pressure-thereon. is desired the mechanical compression is done.

. A still furtherobject of the invention is to away with and the pressure on the slush is col- 30 construction and shape of the solidifying champrovide an apparatus for carrying out this methlapsed to permit direct} solidification tthereof. ed to form the'slush into relatively large blocks Where it is desired to produce solid carbon dior in smaller pieces or any desired size and conoxide in the form of smaller pieces than norfiguration. mally employed the slush may be allowed to flow 25 Another object of this inventionis the prointo a mold within the chamber so that when vision of a machine for carrying out this method, the slush is solidified the result is a plurality of employing a novel form of gate'structure for smaller pieces or a shape depending upon the closing the cylinder of the machine while in use; mold shape.

Another objectof this invention involves the Referring'to the drawings in detail the nature of the invention will be better understood. One her to insure sumcient strength under the pres= form of machine as disclosed for purposes of illussures and temperatures encountered. tration is shown in Fig. l as comprising two conlhese and many other objects as will appear centric cylinders l and 2 held in spaced relation from the following disclosure are secured by by means of closure rings. 3 and 4 to provide a 35 means of this invention. double wall vessel as shown. As illustrated This invention resides substantially in thecomthese-cylinders are of circular cross-section (see bination, construction, arrangement, relative 10- Fig. 3) As is well @own the circular cross sec cation of parts, steps, series of steps, and'the tion is the best from the viewpoint of strength, product in accordance with the following diswhichisof considerable importance ina machine of this'typein view of. the high pressures and 50 closure. low temperatures to which the machine'is sub- -50 tlon;

Referring to the drawings: I mg. 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional view iected. if desired the cylinder construction may 7 through the machine of, this invention with be litre that of Fig. wherein the outer-cylinder some parts in elevation and some parts broken 2? is circular as beiore to give strength, and the do away. Y inner cylinder 1 has a rectangular cross section. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the gate The innercylinder contacts with the outer cylstructure partly in section and partly in .elevainder at its four corners and is pressed against I tion. 4 r vthe outer cylinder by means of fins or webs 50. Fig. 3 is an end view of the cylinder const'ruc- Asbefore, a closed chamber is provided between the inner and outer cylinders for a purpose to be Fig. 4 is an end .view ofa modified form of cyldescribed later. inder construction; i As shown in Fig. l the inner cylinder .1 extends Figs. 5 and 6 are end and side views-of one beyond theouter cylinder 2 and is closed by form of mold which may be inserted within the F means of a suitable closure plate 5. Within the 55 cylinder to form carbon dioxide pencils; cylinder is disposed a slidable piston 6 which is no hollow and hasits forward end closed by means ing end of cylinder 1, and isconnected by means of a suitable T to pipes 32 and 15. Pipe 32 is connected to the space between the cylinders 1 and 2 and pipe provided with a control valve 16 extends to any suitable receptacle such as a gasometer to which the gas formed within the inner cylinder may be delivered.. T 14 is connected by means of pipe 17 through a check valve 18 to the upper casing 11 of a'heat exchanger of any suitable structure. Check valve 18 prevents escape of gas'fronicasing 11 into pipes 17, 12 and 15, and cylinder 1 when the pressure in the cylinder is dropped to eilect solidification and when the machine is being emptied; The upper end of the casing ll is connected by pipe 19 t ough a pressure control valve 20 to thepipe 23, which pipe likewise extends to a suitable receptacle.

Ripe 23 is connected to the casing 11 of the heat exchanger through pipe 21 and the valve 22. The

' heat exchanger is oi the well known type in which the casing liis provided with a series of pipes extending therethrough in communicationwith the ends of the cylinders, but not in communication with the space within the cylinder. The carbon dioxide liquid supply line is shown at 24 provided with a valve '25. Thus the liquid carbon dioxide is delivered into the casing '11 around the pipes which extend therethrough so that the space within the pipes is not in communication with the space surroundng them and within the. casing 11.

The casing 11 is connected by a liquid supply pipe 26 to the inner cylinder 1 through the branch pipes 27} control valves 28, and liquid discharge nozzles 29. Pipe 26 is also connected by means of pipe 30 to the space between the two cylinders at the end opposite to'the point of connection of pipe 32. Pipe 30 is also provided with a control valve 31.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 2, the closurering 4 is provided with a suitable gasket or seat 4 against which the closure gate 33 presses to seal the inner cylinder. The gate 33 is arranged. so that it may be tightly pressed against its seat and-moved out of place when desired. Mounted in any suitable manner on each side of the open end of the chamber are two vertical U-shaped brackets 34. Only one of these brackets is shown in the drawings, but they extend parallel to each other and are mountedon eachside of the cylinder. At the'top of the gate is provided 9. lug which is pivotally connected-at 35' 'witha link 35.

' The upper end of the link 35 is pivotally connected at 35 to the lower end 36 of a hand operated lever 37. Mounted on the top of the brackets are the removable saddles 48 on which the lower end of the lever 37 seats, as shown. The lower end 36 of the lever is provided with two ball shaped ex tensions 38 and 40. The extension 38 seats in a socket on the saddle as shown. The ball 40 seats in another socket 39 formed in-the saddle when the'lever 31is pivoted to the left (Fig. 2); The gate 33 is provided with spaced Journals 44 between which a shaft 42 extends.- This shaft is provided with two spaced eccentrics 43 which rotate in bearings inthe brackets 34.

A hand lever 41 is connected to the shaft 4 Fig. 2 shows the gate closed andpressed on its seat. To release the gate arm-41. is swung in a through the branch 32. The pressure conditions s ver?! clockwise direction. This rotates shaft 42 and the seat if it is sealed there by the frozen solid' carbon dioxide. Lever 37 is then pulled to the left starting the-gate 33 upwardly in a vertical direction. Tremendous leverage can be produced by this structure because of the length of lever 37 and the shortness of the lever arm-between the point 35' and the center of rotation of the ball 38 in its socket. Thus the gate may be started up- Wardly. As the lever 37 is furthermoved to the increasing the. length of the lever arm between the pivot point 35 and the center of rotation of the ball 40. Thus afterv the gate is fastened'and started it may be pulled upwardly through this construction to the point where it completely opens the cylinder 1. Of course the pulling members '44, the shaft 42, theeccentrics 43 and the lever 44 all form a unitary structure which moves upwardly with the link v35.

In the operation of the device valve 16 is closed. The valves 20 and 22 may be of any well known construction'such as a diaphragm valve which operate to maintain a pressure behind themdepending upon their adjustment. As soon as the pressure exceeds a-predetermined value the diaphragm valveopens to permit gas to pass therethrough. Valves 25, 28 and 31 are then opened and liquid carbon dioxide isdelivered from pipe left the ball 40 engages the seat 39 on the saddle, x

24 through casing 11 around the cooling pipes ex-- tending therethrough to pipe 26. Frompipe 26 it is delivered to and discharged from the nozzles;

space between the cylinders 'is 'further cooled, thereby helping to maintain the proper temperature conditions within the inner cylinder. The discharge of liquid into cylinder 1 is carried out under the" proper. temperature and pressure conditions so that the carbon dioxide within the in- .ner cylinder is at the triple" point condition. Thus the inner cylinder will have carbon dioxide in the solid, liquid and gaseous state. When a sufllcient amount of-material has been delivered into the inner cylinders the valves 28 may be closed. The

gas may escape from the cylinder 1 through the perforated plate 7, the hollow piston 6, pipe 12,

pipe '17, valve 18,-throughthe pipes in casing 11,

and to plpe23 through theconnection 19 of the around the pipes from the liquid delivered into the casing may be discharged through the branch 21 into the, pipe '23. Any excess gas pressurein valve 20. The gasfformed within the casing 11;

the space between cylinders 1 and 2 may also dls-' charge into the Pipes of the heat exchanger .within cylinder 1 and the space between cylinders land 2 may be controlled as already stated by thediaphragm pressure control valves 20 and 22,which may be setto maintain conditions within the cylinder 1' at the triple point.

If it is desired to increase the density of the slush in cylinder 1, this can be accomplished by forcing piston 6 to the left to compress the mixture to the desired density. Any gas may escape through the piston as before, and when the piston moves to the left of the connection 12, the gas may still escape through the grooves 9 to the right of the piston. It it is not desired to first mechanically compress the slush the operation of the piston can be dispensed with. The consistency of the slush can be varied by controlling the temperature and pressure conditions of the liquid delivered to cylinder 1, so that the proportion of solid and liquid can be varied. To completely solidify the slush valve 16 is opened, thereby completely releasing the pressure within cylinder 1. The slush then solidifies with the formation of some gas which escapes through and past the piston to pipe 12, and thence to pipe 15, and back to the gasometer under atmospheric pressure conditions. At the same time the gas between the cylinders may also escape through pipe 32. Gate 33 is then opened as described before and the piston employed to eject the solid carbon dioxide onto the table '70.

If desired, instead of making the large blocks of solid carbon dioxide, molds of the 'forms shown in Figs. 5 and 6 in the case of a cylindrical cylinder, or the mold shown in Fig. '7 in the case of a square cylinder are introduced in the desired number into the chamber as shown in Fig. 1. The slush is then allowed to fiow into these molds. It is pointed out in connection with the mold such as shown in Fig. 5 that the space between the inner and outer walls 60 and 61 will also be packed with slush so that that slush in connection with the fins 62 serves to prevent rupture of the molds. The solidified carbon dioxide between the walls 60 and 61 also serves the purpose of preventing shrinkage of the small pellets in the mold during shipment and thereby serving to refrigerate the interior of the mold and its contents. After solidification of the carbon dioxide these molds may be ejected and shipped in this form to the place of use. The gas delivered from the chamber into pipe 12 and into the heat exchanger will be a substantially wet vapor, and being very cold will sub-cool the incoming liquid through pipe 24, thereby efiecting a heat economy. The warmed dry vapors which may be termed superheated are delivered through pipe 23 for accumulation and reuse. If desired pipe 13 may be used to supply gas under pressure into cylinder 1 for ejecting the block of solid carbon dioxide from the cylinder instead of ejecting it with th piston.

One of the important features of this invention is that the liquid carbon dioxide is delivered into the inner cylinder at temperatures and pressures in the neighborhood of the so-called triple point condition so that a \slush is formed therein comprising a mixture of solid and liquid carbon dioxide.

The consistency of the slush may be varied by pressure variation. When the pressure is carried below the triple point pressure snow formation increases and liquid formation decreases. On the other hand, when the pressure 'exceeds the triple point pressure the ratio of liquid to solid increases. Thus the characteristics-oi the slush may be varied by controlling the pressure within cylinder 1. In addition the density of the finished product may be varied by mechanically increasing the pressure on the slush as already pointed out.

From the above description it will be apparent that this invention resides in certain principles 0! construction and operation which may be carried out in other ways by those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. I, therefore, do not desire to be strictly limited to this illustrated disclosure, but prefer to be limited by the scope of the appended claims.

What I seek to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the type described comprising a chamber closed at one end and provided with a movable piston, a removable closure plate for the other end of the chamber, means for moving the closure plate into and out of closing relation, an outer casing surrounding the inner casing and connected thereto to iorm a closed double wall structure, the closed double walls being isolated from the inner chamber, means for delivering liquid carbon dioxide into the inner chamber, means for delivering carbon dioxide into the space between the double walls, means for maintaining a. desired pressure in the inner chamber, and means for withdrawing the carbon dioxide from between the double walls.

2. In a. device of the type described the combination comprising an open ended cylinder, a closure plate for closing the open end of the cylinder, means for imparting movement to the closure plate in a direction parallel to the axis of thechamber and for looking it in closed position, and means for imparting movement to the closure plate in a direction at right angles to the axis of the chamber.

3. A machine of the type described comprising a cylinder of suitable cross section closed at one end, a removable closure plate for the other end, means for moving the closure plate a short distance away from and into contact with the end of the cylinder and for looking it under pressure against the end of the cylinder, and means for raising the closure plate out of alignment with the end of the cylinder. I

4. In a machine of the type described the combination comprising two concentric walls the outer wall being of cylindrical crass section and the inner wall being of rectangular cross section, and web members uniting the two sections into a unitary structure, to provide a strong double walled casing for withstanding considerable internal pressure. f

5. A machine of the type described comprising two concentric casings united to form an inner chamber and an outer space isolated therefrom, means for closing the inner chamber, a piston in the inner chamber, means for delivering liquid carbon dioxide to the inner chamber, means for delivering carbon dioxide to the outer space, and means for withdrawing carbon dioxide in the form of gas from the inner chamber and the outer space at diflerent pressures, and means for exposing the inner chamber to atmospheric pressure conditions.

6. In a device of the type described the combination comprising an open ended cylinder, a closure plate tor the cylinder, a power device for moving the closure plate in a direction at right angles to the plane at the end of the cylinder and for looking it firmly against the end of the cylinder, and means for moving the closure plate in a plane parallel to the end 01' the cylinder to move it completely out of alignment therewith.

tion with the inner wall, means for delivering liquid carbon dioxide into the chamber and the space, a discharge connection for said chamber,

and means for maintaining a desired pressure in the chamber. JUSTUS C. GOOSMAN'N. 

